Governor Ivey Urges Alabama Small Businesses to Enter 2026 National Small Business Week Awards
“In an America First economy, Alabama’s small businesses are the ones setting the pace”—Gov. Kay Ivey
Governor Kay Ivey is calling on the State’s business owners to enter the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
In a news release, Ivey emphasized the vital role small businesses play in the economy. “In an America First economy, Alabama’s small businesses are the ones setting the pace. We’ve got makers, builders, innovators and risk-takers whose stories deserve to be told on a national stage,” she said. “I want to see Alabama in the running and bringing home the win, because we’ve got the talent to do it.”
Under the program, one small-business owner from each State—plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam—will earn a “State Small Business Person of the Year” honor. Those winners will then compete for the national “Small Business Person of the Year” title.
In Alabama, the State-level awards are broader. Categories include Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, Women-Owned Business Person of the Year, Small Business Manufacturer of the Year, and Rural-Owned Business of the Year.
Nominations are open now and must be submitted online by 1 p.m. CT on December 22, 2025.
Winners at the State level may advance to the national competition. The 2026 National Small Business Week celebration is scheduled for May 3–9, 2026.
For anyone interested, the SBA Alabama District Office will hold two one-hour virtual sessions—on December 3 and December 17 from 11 a.m. to noon CT—to explain how to submit a nomination and offer tips that could help a business stand out.
For more information, join the SBA Alabama District Office for a one-hour session to get an overview, learn about the nomination process, learn about the forms and best practices to increase the likelihood of your nomination being selected.
How to Submit an Award-Winning Nomination—hosted every other Wednesday, starting October 22.
Dates: December 3 & December 17
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00pm CT
Where: Virtual
To join for one of SBA’s 2026 National Small Business Week Awards info session, please visit the link below:
